COVID-19 Update March 23

I want to start with great news: Our colleague who works in Wuller Hall has tested negative for COVID-19 (see our March 16 campus update for background). We are relieved and thankful.

Unfortunately, at least two more students – neither of whom have been on campus –
have tested positive during the past several days. These students had traveled abroad
and all are isolating at their respective off-campus residences (both in and outside
of Missouri).

Thank you for your patience and prayers for the Billiken community. You prove that
we truly are OneSLU.

St. Louis’ “stay at home” order

As you know, at 6 p.m. today, the City of St. Louis’ “stay at home” order goes into
effect. This severely restricts all movement about the city. The intent is to curb
the continued spread of COVID-19. There are exceptions, such as visiting the doctor, and going to get food and other essentials, like prescription
drugs.

What this means for SLU

Saint Louis University made a formal request of the City of St. Louis to receive an
exemption so we can continue to keep some core functions open for students who are
still living on campus, such as the library.

Unfortunately, until (or unless) we receive that exemption, Pius Library will close at 6 p.m. today until further notice. Those students living on campus who have immediate technology needs should email
pandemic@slu.edu.

While there is no clear education exemption in the city’s order, we are confident
that there are several key areas we can and must continue to operate for those students
who are still living on campus, and for the greater community. Those include:

SLUCare, the Student Health Center and the University Counseling Center will continue
to operate.

On-campus food operations will continue to provide “grab & go” meals.

Residence halls will operate as a housing consolidation plan is finalized and implemented.
Our Housing & Residence Life staff are essential to those efforts.

Any Facilities employees who are deemed essential can continue operating normally,
and should do so (including SLU’s Department of Public Safety).

Transportation services, such as the Billiken Shuttle, can continue as needed.

Our professional staff members (attorneys, finance team members, etc.) who are deemed
essential can continue to work on campus on an as-needed basis.

ITS can continue to come to campus, if needed, to support others working and teaching
remotely.

Human Resources employees who must come to campus for purposes of processing payroll
and employee benefits can continue to do so.

Faculty members who need to be on-campus for the purpose of delivering remote education
only may do so.

We want to remind everyone that while you may fall into one of the exception categories,
and thus be able to work on campus, it is required that you maintain appropriate social
distancing. Per previous guidance, those who can work remotely should do so.

Deans and vice presidents are able to give a letter of exception to those employees
who are deemed essential. If the need arises, consult with your dean or vice president.

What this means for SLU’s research operations

We ask that you limit laboratory work to essential personnel and essential functions
only, this would include maintenance of critical reagents, animals, and equipment;
and development of vaccines and treatments directly connected to the current pandemic.
Personnel responsible for those functions should be on campus solely for the time
necessary to perform those essential functions, and then return to their homes.

South campus moves to card-access only

Similar to yesterday’s announcement about north campus, I have accepted a recommendation
to move SLU’s south campus to card-access only for the following buildings. This
is effective immediately.

Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing building

Education Union building

Allied Health building

Dreiling Marshall Hall

As a reminder, faculty and staff will retain access to buildings they are currently
approved to access for the purpose of delivering remote education only. For any additional
authorization, faculty, staff and students must contact their unit leader who should
email DPS (cardaccessdps@slu.edu) and request to add the building to their card access privilege. (Note: This is a different email address than what we shared with you yesterday. Please
use this one going forward for any card authorization exceptions.)

This south campus building change does not impact the Learning Resources Center, Monteleone Hall, Doctor’s Office Building,
Drummond Hall and the Salus Center.

I also want to note that Scott Hall, the home of SLU’s School of Law, has transitioned
to card-access per communications from SLU Law leaders.

In closing, I want to share a thoughtful column from assistant professor Michael Rozier, SJ, from SLU’s College for Public Health
and Social Justice. The piece ran last week in America: The Jesuit Review, and it
focuses on how we can preserve humanity amid the pandemic. You can read it in its
entirety here, but for now, I leave you with this excerpt:

“The virus is simply doing what viruses do. It is time for us to do what we do. That
is, to be more human than before –”